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State Cert Guide

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What do I need for a Missouri mortgage loan originator license?

Missouri law says mortgage loan originators take approved prelicensing courses of at least twenty hours. They can be taught in a classroom, online, or by other means the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR) approves. Then you pass the SAFE MLO Test.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least twenty hours of approved prelicensing education coursesThree topics have required hours; the questions below list them.
Verified. revisor.mo.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Cost
$110 for the SAFE MLO Test, as NMLS lists it. This is not the course priceWe haven't confirmed a course price from a source.
NMLS Resource Center · SAFE MLO Test overview (opens website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Online accepted
Yes. A classroom, online, or any other means the NMLSR approvesThe law says this about prelicensing education in general.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Read the course rule. Missouri law has mortgage loan originators complete approved courses of at least twenty hours.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course from the NMLS course provider list. The law counts courses the NMLSR approves, and it defines the NMLSR as the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. Approval includes the course provider.

  3. Step 3. Take at least twenty hours in a classroom, online, or by other means the NMLSR approves. A course does not count if it comes before your application by a period the NMLSR sets.

  4. Step 4. Pass the SAFE MLO Test. NMLS says an MLO seeking state licensure needs 75% or better.

Courses

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Before you pay

Before you pay, check that the NMLSR has approved both the course and its provider.

Questions

What must the twenty hours include?

At least three hours of federal law and regulations, three of ethics, and two of training on lending standards for the nontraditional mortgage product marketplace. NMLS lists the rest as 12 hours of electives.

Does a course I took for another state count?

Missouri law says the NMLSR-approved federal law, ethics and nontraditional lending education you completed for any state counts as credit toward Missouri’s prelicensing education.

Do I need continuing education every year?

Yes. NMLS says every state licensed MLO completes at least 8 hours of NMLS approved education a year, starting the year they are licensed, unless they finished prelicensing education that same year. Missouri law says those hours include at least three on federal law, two on ethics, two on nontraditional mortgage lending standards and one on Missouri law.

What is on the test?

NMLS lists 120 questions and 190 minutes to finish, with 115 of the questions scored. The five unscored pre-test questions do not change your pass or fail result.

What to do next

Start with the Missouri law on prelicensing education. Then pick a course from the NMLS list.

revisor.mo.gov

Sources we read